Tyntesfield and Westonbirt Arboretum – the Crealy and Woodlands of 2014?
2014 has been an unusual year really. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the lack of a long weekend in Devon. Well a weekend in Devon nearly failed to materialise in 2013, and took until well into October to occur. For various reasons I ended up not having a day trip, weekend or holiday in Devon at all in 2014. Consequently that meant no visit to Devon's Crealy or Woodlands. As far as Devon's Crealy goes, this was my first year since 2002 of not going there, having at least one visit there every year from 2003 to 2013 inclusive. On the other hand, the lack of a Gromit trail in Bristol failed to deter me from having numerous trips to Bristol exploring well-known and lesser known parts of the city, taking pictures of the scenery and having pictures taken of me along the way. In addition I visited Tyntesfield in September and Westonbirt Arboretum in October, both of which were a delight to explore.It's been a good year for me attending RCCGB trips, starting with the Blackpool Bash in April, during which I had a Sunday wristband as well as a Saturday wristband for the first time ever. Doing so enabled me to ride in the Pleasure Beach until Sunday closing time for the first time ever, even though that meant travelling home considerably later than previous years. Secondly Mega-Glow-Mania, the Club's annual visit to Pembrokeshire in August. During this three-day event I attended the Club visits to Folly Farm on Friday and Oakwood on Saturday, but for various reasons chose not to go to Heatherton World of Activities on Sunday. Finally Loopathon in October during which the Club visits Alton Towers on Saturday and Drayton Manor Park on Sunday. Having not attended either day of Loopathon in 2012 and 2013, I was determined to attend at least one day of it this time and ended up attending Drayton Manor only; it's a pity I didn't attend Alton Towers for various reasons.
Altogether there are 50 events split into five categories: Best Mega Trip, Best Thrill Outing, Best Non-Thrill Outing, Best Show and Best Party. The winner of each of these will go through to the Ultimate Winner round to determine the overall winner.
Definitions
Since this document is about events of 2014, any occurrences herein of "this year" refer to 2014, whereas "last year" refers to 2013 and "next year" refers to 2015.Multi-lane wavy slides, as found at funfairs and theme parks, are generally known as Astra slides. For this reason the term "Astra slide" has been used throughout this document to refer to this type of slide.
RCCGB Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain
ERS Exclusive Ride Session
To navigate to individual categories, click the links below.
Best Mega Trip
Best Thrill Outing
Best Non-Thrill Outing
Best Show
Best Party
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Best Mega Trip
These are trips that required staying away at guest accommodation for one or more nights. Interestingly this year they all happen to be UK based RCCGB trips: Blackpool Bash, Mega-Glow-Mania and Loopathon. Three excellent events almost as good as each other, it will be extremely difficult to determine which of the three goes through to the Ultimate Winner round.RCCGB Blackpool Bash - Friday 25 April to Sunday 27 April
"Everybody say Blackpool". The Club's annual trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, featuring riding and entertainment. My excitement began Thursday afternoon with a relaxing train journey from Bath Spa to Blackpool North. The Bash officially began Friday evening in the Paradise Room with Mark Jones' comedy and magic, Dave Maryan singing songs from yesteryear and Johnny Casson's jokes; an excellent start. Saturday began with a meet-up in the Paradise Room followed by the morning ERS on Big One, Steeplechase and Blue Flyer. I rode Big One once (before it malfunctioned), Steeplechase three times and Blue Flyer once. Afterwards members dispersed around the Pleasure Beach to take over the rides until lunch; my rides the rest of the morning were Blue Flyer once more, Nickelodeon Streak and Infusion twice each and one go apiece on Big Dipper and River Caves. Lunch in the Paradise Room, consisting of chicken and chips, was delicious and filling. After lunch members enjoyed more rides; I rode Valhalla, Wallace and Gromit Thrill-O-Matic, Avalanche and others. The Grand National ERS was enjoyed by all, I had three goes. Afterwards there was still time for me to ride Wild Mouse, Revolution and others until the Pleasure Beach closed at 18:00. Once the public left a bonus Big One ERS followed due to the morning breakdown; I had five goes. Saturday evening the fun continued with the spooky themed Coaster Crazy Show in the Paradise Room, and many members including me wore spooky costumes of some sort. Songs included Music of the Night, Grim Grinning Ghosts (The Sheppards), Coaster Busters (Coaster Kids), Jai Ho (CJ) and Fire (Carl May). Games were Kids Gopher and Bang. The Gong Show yielded a strange result when I was voted the seemingly impossible combination of best and worst Gong Show act for my circuit training exercises. Other Gong Show contenders were Dan Ould, Stuart Pope, Ryan Hackett, Alice & Harry, Barry Frost and Ellis Williams. The finale Time Warp led into the one hour disco, many including me danced along. Sunday began with the ERS on Big Dipper, Wild Mouse and Avalanche; I rode Big Dipper four times and the other two once each. Afterwards members stayed in Pleasure Beach or visited other attractions. I had a Sunday wristband for the first time and enjoyed many more rides including Ice Blast, Grand National, Nickelodeon Streak, Big One and Infusion until the Pleasure Beach closed at 17:00. After my last goodbyes it was time for me to begin my train journey home. Altogether another wonderful Blackpool Bash, many thanks to Nev for organising it and letting me perform in the Gong Show. It was great meeting other Club members again and riding the Pleasure Beach rides again. Best of all it was dry and mostly sunny Saturday and Sunday.More about this event available here
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RCCGB Mega-Glow-Mania Weekend - Friday 8 August to Sunday 10 August
The Club's annual visit to rural Pembrokeshire, primarily to visit Oakwood Theme Park. Just like in 2013, the Oakwood visit was on Saturday when the Park was open to the public until 22:00, thereby enabling the Club to end the day with the traditional dark ERS on Megafobia. Add-ons to Oakwood were Folly Farm near Kilgetty on Friday and Heatherton World of Activities on Sunday. For me the weekend began Thursday 7 August with a train journey from Bath Spa to Tenby, where I stayed three nights. My Friday morning began with a full traditional fried breakfast at the normal time. Having travelled by bus from Tenby, I was the first RCCGB member booked on the trip to arrive at Folly Farm around 10:15. Once admitted my first stop was Follywood to visit Percy's Piggery and enjoy a ride on the land train. Next I entered the Jolly Barn and drew a pig on the large chalk board on which visitors are welcome to draw farm animals. Afterwards my next stop was the zoo, which had changed considerably since last year. The biggest change was the new-for-2014 Pride of Pembrokeshire lion enclosure. I also saw the giraffes, penguins, emus, reindeer and several other animals. My first sighting of other RCCGB members was by the Penguin Coast enclosure around 12:50. Late afternoon I had one go on the Pembrokeshire Wheel and walked around the Jolly Barn to see the farm animals. The final hour of normal opening I played on Carousel Woods indoor play area, including the slides and multi-level towers. The best bit was the evening Exclusive Fair Session in the Vintage Funfair, starting with Caterpillar Ride, Jets and a few others. After dinner at Funfair Restaurant, members enjoyed more rides including Lakin Skid, Gallopers, Cyclone and Cake Walk. Once the EFS ended everyone returned to the car park; someone kindly gave me a lift to my hotel in Tenby. The main event was the Oakwood trip on Saturday. For me Saturday began with an early breakfast followed by a taxi ride to Oakwood Theme Park. On arrival my first observation was the change of colour scheme at the park entrance. A few members were already present, and others gradually arrived. The day officially began at 9:00 with a one-hour ERS on the wooden coaster Megafobia, during which I enjoyed six goes. Afterwards members dispersed around the Park and took over the rides; I enjoyed riding the other four coasters, Waterfall and Tink's Flying School. Around 13:30 a baseball game took place at the front of the Park. Many members including me joined in, I played for the Woodies team which won. Back in the Park, it wasn't long before the weather deteriorated. There was one heavy downpour around 15:00, a damp interlude, another heavy downpour mid-evening, and rain to some extent thereafter. Still I had many more rides despite the rain, including Skull Rock log flume, Neverland Chase, Bobsleigh, Oakwood Aerodrome, Moon Landing drop slide, Snake River Falls, Bounce and Speed, some more than once. After my much-needed burger and fries at Woody's Burger Bar the light and firework display rounded off normal opening time. Once the public had left, the dark ERS on Megafobia was great fun despite the rain; the train was fast and rough because of that. Many wore something which glowed and/or flashed. I donned my fluorescent yellow Skatedrive cagoule, self-designed pink hi-vis waistcoat and fluorescent pink gym shorts and enjoyed six goes on Megafobia. Sunday morning some members went to Heatherton World of Activities to enjoy go-karting and/or other activities there. For various reasons I gave Heatherton a miss, and instead left Tenby late morning for the rail replacement bus to Carmarthen followed by the onward train to Swansea. Having reached Swansea my plan was to go water sliding at the LC. Since it was busy it was necessary for me to wait until 15:15 for a two hour session. Although the LC was too busy for my liking I nonetheless achieved one go on the Master Blaster roller coaster water slide, two on the Aqua Slide (open top) and thirteen goes on the Aqua Tube closed tube slide. A wet and wild way for me to round off Mega-Glow-Mania weekend. Having left the LC later than expected or wanted, there was just time for me to have a meal at McDonalds Castle Square before returning to the station to resume my journey home at 18:24. Altogether a coaster crazy day at weekend away, it's a pity the weather turned for the worse mid-afternoon on Saturday but never mind. Many thanks to Nev for arranging the event, Folly Farm ride attendants and catering staff for staying late Friday evening, Oakwood ride staff for staying late to operate Megafobia for the Club Saturday evening, Doug for the glow sticks and to Mark and Margo for the lift from Oakwood to Tenby Saturday evening. More about this event available here
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RCCGB Loopathon Drayton Manor Park - Sunday 12 October
"Are you loopy enough?" The Club's annual two day autumn event to mark the end of the coaster season: Alton Towers on the Saturday and Drayton Manor Park on the Sunday. For various reasons I chose to attend day two (Drayton Manor Park) only, and for that reason travelled by train from Bath to Tamworth Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon was the golden opportunity to go water sliding at the Snowdome for the first time ever. Although the one water slide there is not a particularly exciting one, it was worth having 25 goes on and adding to my slide count. Having left Snowdome there was still time for me to explore Castle Grounds before dusk. After a cooked breakfast Sunday morning Planenut arrived and took me to Drayton Manor. On arrival several members were already in the Tower Suite, and more gradually arrived. Just after 9:30 the Club entered the Park for the Apocalypse ERS. I enjoyed one go sitting and three standing goes. What a pity the stand-up no floor option was unavailable. Thereafter members dispersed around the Park; my rides there rest of the morning were Pandemonium, Maelstrom, Shockwave (twice), Air Race and Troublesome Trucks. Lunch in the Tower Suite was delicious and filling. Whilst there, the Club also had a speech from David Bromilow and an auction. Back in the Park mid-afternoon I enjoyed many more rides including Ben 10, Stormforce 10, Shockwave (twice), The Bounty, Buffalo and Jeremy's Flying Academy. At 17:00 members enjoyed an ERS on Ben 10, Troublesome Trucks and G-Force; during that hour I enjoyed Troublesome Trucks twice and G-Force nine times. Finally the day ended with the hokey cokey and group hug, as a send-off to the coaster season. After our last goodbyes Planenut kindly took me to Birmingham International, where I began my train journey home. Altogether a great weekend, it's a pity I didn't do Alton Towers Saturday, but I enjoyed adding another water slide to my slide count at Snowdome instead, and had a mega fun day at Drayton Manor on Sunday. It was great meeting Nev, Matt, Helen and Sophia, Lucy Cosnett, Wendy Evans, Doug and his children, Gareth Preece, Death and others today. An additional surprise was seeing Scott Easter, whom I'd not previously met, wearing a blue Team Bath hoody, made by Surridge. Many thanks to Nev for organising this, the catering staff for lunch, ride staff for operating Apocalypse before opening and the three ERS coasters after closing and Planenut for giving me lifts.More about this event available here
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Best Thrill Outing
This group includes mainly day trips to amusement parks and water parks. Interestingly it seems one funfair ride is enough to put a day out in this category, even if it's mainly intended to be a sightseeing and photography trip, as has been the case with Weston-super-Mare on Sunday 31 August.Cardiff International Pool - Saturday 4 January
If recent years are anything to go by, it seems to have become a tradition to start the year with a visit to the fun pool and water slides at Cardiff International Pool on the first Saturday after New Year's Day. This year was no exception; during Christmas 2013 a visit to Cardiff International Pool was firmly on the cards for Saturday 4 January 2014. It's a wonder it was sensible travelling to Cardiff that day following flooding in certain parts of south east Wales the previous day. Anyway the journey aboard the 08:30 Bath Spa to Cardiff Central train went without a hitch, and lasted just over an hour. Upon arrival getting a bus to the Sports Village was equally trouble-free. Cardiff International Pool has a leisure pool with three thrilling flumes, all of which are closed tubes all the way down. The slow red flume takes sliders around a bend to the left into a clockwise spiral, followed by an anticlockwise spiral to land in a catch tray. The orange flume is much faster, consisting of an anticlockwise spiral followed by a clockwise u-bend, to land in a catch tray. As for the yellow flume, sliders go around a bend to the right, into an anticlockwise spiral, followed by a straight drop to land in a catch tray. There is also a space bowl, whereby sliders go down a short flume around an anticlockwise loop into the bowl. The faster you enter, the longer you spend in there before dropping into the landing pool. The slides opened shortly after I entered the leisure pool area at 10:40. I was the first member of the public to go down any of the slides; my first go was on the red slide. In the aftermath of the previous day's storms, one might have thought people would have been deterred from going out today, and thus the place would be quiet. Sadly this wasn't the case; it wasn't long before the place became quite busy, resulting in fairly lengthy waiting times for the slides. I finally left the leisure pool area at 14:55, having enjoyed the red flume, orange flume, yellow flume and space bowl eight times each. Having left Cardiff International Pool, the next stop was nearby Morrisons for much-needed sandwiches, chips and a cappuccino at their café. Back in the city centre I enjoyed a Festive Kreme doughnut and Americano at Krispy Kreme, St David's Centre. Having returned to Cardiff Central, the 18:30 Portsmouth Harbour train was cancelled. Fortunately I managed to catch the 18:25 London Paddington train, and change at Newport for the aforementioned Portsmouth Harbour train which on this occasion was started from Newport at 18:47. The rest of the journey to Bath went without a hitch. Altogether a great day out, my first time of going water sliding anywhere for 2014. It's a pity I had just eight goes on each slide due to the long queues, due to the place being busy, but never mind. A middle of the road contender in Best Thrill Outing, but not a category winner.More about this event available here
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Oasis Leisure Centre Swindon - Saturday 1 March
The second event in the Best Thrill Outing category was another water sliding trip, this time at Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon. The afternoon out began aboard the 12:43 train from Bath Spa to Swindon. Once there Oasis Leisure Centre was just a short walk away. In order to have as many goes on the flumes as possible during my one hour session I didn't go in the leisure pool at all, not even when the waves were on. The slides were considerably busier this time than my debut visit in December 2012, which meant getting a much lower slide count this time. Anyway in one hour I enjoyed two goes on the Sidewinder, seven goes on Great White and six goes on Storm. Once my session ended, I had a coffee at the Oasis Café before leaving. After that I walked around Swindon town centre before catching the late-running 16:30 train to Bath. Altogether a fun afternoon out, it's a pity the Lagoon Falls open top slide was closed, but it was great to slide the three Domebuster Flumes (Sidewinder, Great White and Storm) again. The low slide count and the fact that the session lasted just one hour means this could be seen as one of the weaker Best Thrill Outing contenders.More about this event available here
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Bath Half Family Fun Run - Sunday 2 March
The annual Bath Half Marathon took place Sunday 2 March 2014. For those not up to running 13.1 miles, a much shorter 1½ mile Family Fun Run also took place the same day. Although the sheer thought of running 13.1 miles put me off the Half Marathon, I was determined to run the 1½ mile Family Fun Run in 2014, and registered early January. For me the excitement began upon receiving my number, timing chip, Race Day Guide and Family Fun Run 2014 T-shirt late January. On Race Day Fun Run participants were asked to wait in the allocated area well before the Half Marathon started at 11:00. Once all the Half Marathon runners had passed by Family Fun Run participants were led to the start line. As soon as the start signal was given, Fun Runners ran the first three quarters of a mile of the Half Marathon course before doing a U-turn to return to the start. Despite my initial concerns about completing the 1½ miles, the outward leg was fairly easy going. After the U-turn, the return leg seemed much harder, especially as it was uphill part of the way; I feared having to slow down to walking pace. Determined to run all the way I looked downwards, and suddenly reached the flat bit at the top. Having turned the corner the end was in sight. I speeded up a little until I crossed the finish line. Thus I managed to run from start to finish without stopping or resorting to walking part of the way. I finished 90th out of over 920 Fun Runners with a chip time 0:06:43 and gun time 0:06:48; an excellent achievement for someone who had no practice runs around the streets of Bath during January and February. Afterwards all Family Fun Runners were given a medal and goody bag for completing the course. Well done to everyone else who participated in the Fun Run. Even more so congratulations to those who completed the Half Marathon, and thus received their medals and Half Marathon Finisher T-shirts; it's amazing how they can run 13.1 miles. How on Earth, in the world, do they do it? Many thanks to the organisers for arranging both races, and for providing the medals and T-shirts. It's a pity the organisers didn't give each Fun Run participant and Half Marathon entrant a free blue Team Bath hoody, made by Surridge, but perhaps one cannot expect that much. The excitement and satisfaction of running a fun run like this for the first time ever means there is a high likelihood of this winning Best Thrill Outing.More about this event available here
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Sandcastle Water Park Blackpool - Friday 25 April
Travelling to Blackpool during the evening of Thursday 24 April meant being able to spend Friday daytime at Sandcastle Water Park. Nonetheless, this is being treated as a standalone event in the Best Thrill Outing group. Just like the last few years, it was once again worthwhile paying the additional fee for a Hyperzone wristband, in order to be able to enjoy the Master Blaster, Sidewinder, Aztec Falls and Montazooma. My first slide of the day was the hair-raising Sidewinder, with a steep drop into a ravine, a mega fun start. The first mishap of the day was losing my tyre and thus cutting my left elbow during my second go on Sidewinder. Fortunately a visit to the first aid room was sufficient for me to continue sliding. Next I enjoyed the rollercoaster water slide Master Blaster twice, Aztec Falls once, Montazooma twice and Aztec Falls once. Aztec Falls and Montazooma are the two newest slides, which opened February 2012. Away from the Hyperzone, there were plenty of other slides to enjoy, those being both Thunderfalls Waterslides four times each, the three Treetops Water Chutes twice each, and both white knuckle Duelling Dragons twice each. Afterwards I braved two goes on Sidewinder, but felt frightened on the first drop both times. Next I enjoyed Master Blaster four times, Aztec Falls three times, Montazooma twice and both Thunderfalls Waterslides three times each. Back at the Master Blaster I hoped for as many goes as possible before close. My first three goes were successful. Unfortunately on my next go, a slider in front of me got stuck, so the slide had to be shut down until a lifeguard got us out through a side exit; this failed go can't be included in my cumulative count for Master Blaster. Thankfully it restarted allowing me one more successful go. Finally there was just enough time for one more go on the blue Thunderfalls Waterslide before the Park shut at 17:00. Altogether a wet and wild visit to the UK's largest indoor water park, it was great sliding the four Hyperzone slides plus the other slides again. One of the better Best Thrill Outing contenders but not a category winner.More about this event available here
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Brean Leisure Park - Saturday 21 June
Since the RCCGB Summer Bash at Brean Leisure Park Fun City in September 2011, it seems to have become a tradition for me to go there alone one Saturday during the summer. After an early rise the day began by catching the 7:20 bus from Bath to Bristol, followed by onward buses to Weston and Brean. Having finally reached Brean, time allowed for a much-needed coffee at Starbucks before entering Fun City. Once fitted with a wristband my riding began with six goes on Astro Storm, two on Caterpillar Coaster and two goes on Magic Mouse. This was followed by two non-coaster rides before having lunch at Subway. After lunch I enjoyed many more rides including two goes on Xtreme, four goes on the log flume and five goes on Astro Storm. Other rides I went on during the afternoon included Wave swinger, Frisbee, Hellraiser and Wipeout. My final ride of the day was one go on Skydiver before daytime wristbands expired at 17:00. Having left Fun City, I caught the 17:30 bus back to Weston. There I enjoyed takeaway fish and chips followed by an ice cream. I was hoping to go on Grand Pier to have a ride or two after that, but gave that a miss due to being lack of time. After a brief walk along part of the beach I caught the bus to Bristol for the onward bus to Bath and got home just before 22:00. Altogether a coaster crazy day out on what was officially the first day of summer, i.e. the Longest Day, and best of all it was a hot sunny day for it. It's just unfortunate that Shockwave looping coaster was out of action all day, but at least I managed to ride three of the four coasters at Fun City. Definitely one of the best contenders in the Best Thrill Outing group but unlikely to win that category.More about this event available here
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Weymouth - Saturday 26 July
A hot sunny summer Saturday whilst already at Dorchester for the weekend was the perfect reason for me to visit Weymouth Saturday 26 July. The trip began aboard the 11:49 Dorchester South to Weymouth train. Having arrived shortly after midday, I bought myself takeaway cod and chips, plus a pea fritter from Captain's Table Fish and Chips, and ate them on the sea front. Fish and chips are must-have for a trip to the seaside. After lunch the next port of call was Leisureranch, for about two hours of sliding on the 4-lane Astra slide Cresta Run. In that time I enjoyed a total of 72 slides. All four lanes were running fast. The staff were amazed anyone could stick two continuous hours in such hot weather, especially as it's necessary to walk up the stairs each go. Before leaving Leisureranch I had one go on the Hurricanes. These bumper cars differ from conventional dodgems in that they are round with inflatable buffers, and can be made to spin. You steer them with the handles, it took me a while to get the hang of controlling the car. Having walked back to the centre of Weymouth, my next stop was Alexandra Gardens for a much needed whippy ice cream. A trip to the seaside just isn't complete without an ice cream! This area also includes Alexandra Gardens Funfair. I enjoyed one go on the Moser Rides drop tower which they call Tower. Although a tame, baby tower compared to Ice Blast at Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool or Drop at Funland, it's still great fun. Afterwards I was in no hurry to leave. I walked along part of the beach (but didn't build a sandcastle), had a ride up the escalator in Marks and Spencer, walked past the marina and Radipole Lake, and back to the beach. Finally there was still time for a cappuccino at a beach café before returning to the station for the 18:03 train back to Dorchester. Altogether a fun afternoon at the seaside, which included lots of sliding and two funfair rides as well as a fish and chip lunch and ice cream. The only missing seaside traditions were building a sandcastle, paddling in the sea and taking home a stick of rock or bag of candy floss, but never mind. Very much a middle of the road contender in Best Thrill Outing though.Back to the start of Best Thrill Outing
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Splashdown Poole - Saturday 16 August
My once-a-year visit to Splashdown Water Park, Poole, which the last couple of years happened in July, but this year took until mid-August to materialise. Having caught the 12:33 train from Dorchester South to Poole, followed by bus to Tower Park I reached Splashdown around 14:00 and paid for two hours sliding. Once changed I began by sliding Dragon's Lair twice. Outside I enjoyed Louisiana Leap, Tennessee Twister, Screamer and Velocity three times each. Although there was a chilly wind outside, it was warm inside those slides. Back inside I descended Colorado Coaster once, followed by Red River Roller and Zambezi Drop three times each. Now my two hours were up, I paid £1.50 for an extra hour. Having done so I enjoyed Baron's Revenge twice and Black Thunder once. Next I rode the Mississippi Drifter / Grand Canyon tyre ride once. Great fun but it was a bit cold for the outdoor Grand Canyon part. Afterwards I enjoyed Colorado Coaster, Red River Roller and Zambezi Drop twice each. Finally I enjoyed one more go on Mississippi Drifter / Grand Canyon and four goes on Dragon's Lair before my time was up. Having caught the bus back to Poole, I had fish and chips at the bus station before catching the 19:37 train back to Dorchester. Altogether, an afternoon of "flumin' good fun" at "the South's ultimate water park". It's a pity the place was busy overall and thus the queues for some indoor slides were too long for my liking. My biggest disappointment was not sliding Space Bowl at all, due to its long queue all afternoon. My other mistake was having large fish and chips at Poole Bus Station; the portion turned out larger than expected. It seems a regular portion would have satisfied my appetite on this occasion. A visit to a water park with such a large number of slides ought to be a high flyer in Best Thrill Outing, but 2014 doesn't appear set to be Splashdown's year.More about this event available here
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Weston-super-Mare - Sunday 31 August
An end-of-August day at the seaside. Unfortunately getting there by train took longer than expected due to one train being severely delayed, and thus having to begin my journey on an alternative train. Having eventually reached Weston at 11:44, it made sense to start by having a baguette and cappuccino from Parsons Bakers in the Sovereign Shopping Centre before doing anything else. Afterwards I explored Grove Park and Weston Woods, which took some time. Late afternoon I got near Birnbeck Pier, and took the time to admire it from Birnbeck Road and the beach. After that I walked along the seafront, including along the walkways at the back of the Marine Lake and around Knightstone Island. I then continued along Royal Parade and Marine Parade. South of Grand Pier a Crazy Mouse coaster operated during the 2014 season, and I enjoyed one go on it. Afterwards it was time for me to enjoy takeaway fish and chips plus mushy peas from the Waterfront Fish Bar followed by a whippy ice cream. After that I went on Grand Pier, but had only about half an hour before it was due to shut at 19:00. Fortunately that was sufficient for me to walk to the end, go on the helter skelter (red slide and blue slide once each) and walk back to the promenade. Finally I walked along part of the beach before returning to the station to begin my train journey home. Thankfully getting home in the evening was much quicker than getting to Weston in the morning; I caught the 19:27 London Paddington train which went directly to Bath Spa (with a few stops in between); I finally reached Bath around 20:20. Altogether a great day out at the seaside on the last day of August; I took plenty of photos of the scenery, and had several photos taken of me in various places. Best of all it was dry and sunny all day. It's a pity the onshore winds along the seafront were a bit cold, but nonetheless I was warm enough walking around in just my World Cup 2014 Brazil T-shirt and green shorts most of the time. The only debatable matter is which category this event really belongs in. This trip was predominantly a walking and sightseeing trip (like the various trips to Bristol in the Best Non-Thrill Outing category), but the presence of one roller coaster ride and two helter skelter slides has justified its inclusion in the Best Thrill Outing. Anyway this is clearly not a category winner, middle of the road at best.Back to the start of Best Thrill Outing
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Basingstoke Leisure Park - Saturday 20 September
A trip to Basingstoke Leisure Park to enjoy water sliding at Aquadrome Lagoon in the morning, and ice skating at neighbouring Planet Ice in the afternoon. My original plan was to do this trip one Saturday during spring 2014, but for various reasons it took until the second half of September for this trip to materialise. An early rise was necessary to catch the 7:33 train from Dorchester South to Basingstoke. Having reached Basingstoke just after 9:30 I had a coffee at Sainsbury's café before catching the shuttle bus to Basingstoke Leisure Park. Basingstoke Aquadrome Lagoon has three water slides: Yellow Peril (yellow water slide), Master Blaster (roller coaster water slide) and Space Bowl; plus a fun pool which includes a river run. I was in The Lagoon from approximately 10:30 to 12:55. Initially I had a few goes on the Yellow Peril and Master Blaster. Once the Space Bowl opened at 11:00 I enjoyed several goes on it straight off. I finished off with by sliding Yellow Peril and Master Blaster once each, and Space Bowl twice. My desire to have as many slides as possible meant not going in the pool or river run at all this time. My total slide count for the entire session was Yellow Peril 6 goes, Master Blaster 6 goes and Space Bowl 12 goes. A good overall slide count for my time in the Lagoon. Having left the Lagoon, I had a panini and coffee at Aquadrome café before going next-door to Planet Ice. There I enjoyed about two hours ice skating from 13:55 to closing time of 16:00. I hoped to stay upright the whole time, but annoyingly had one fall about mid-way through my time on the ice. Having caught the shuttle bus back to town, there was still time to enjoy a coffee and slice of chocolate cake at Sainsbury's café before catching the 17:00 train to Winchester for the onward train to Dorchester. Another mega fun day out, during which I enjoyed water sliding and ice skating in one day. Definitely one of the better contenders in Best Thrill Outing but not a category winner.More about this event available here
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Birthday Special - Tuesday 30 September
To celebrate my 43rd birthday I went to Thorpe Park. An exceptionally early awakening was necessary to catch the 05:41 train from Bath to Reading, for the 07:12 train to Staines. Upon reaching Staines at 7:56 I enjoyed a cappuccino and croissant at Waitrose Café in the town centre before catching the bus to Thorpe Park. Having reached Thorpe Park there was still nearly an hour to wait until the Park opened at 10:00. Once admitted I began by riding Rush once, followed by Colossus and SAW - The Ride twice each. Next I rode Chief Ranger's Carousel and Mr Monkey's Banana Ride once each. Late morning I had two goes on Stealth, the second of which was with RCCGB member Planenut whom I unexpectedly met there. After lunch at Roast & Relish I rode Swarm backwards and forwards. Following a coffee and cake at Coffee Shack in the Dome I rode all four Depth Charge slides once each (my first ever time of riding those), Storm Surge and Tidal Wave once each, and Rumba Rapids twice. Late afternoon I rode X and Detonator: Bombs Away twice each. Afterwards I rode Stealth, once with Planenut and once alone. Finally I enjoyed Nemesis Inferno three times before ride closing time. The birthday fun continued after I left Thorpe Park. Back in Staines I enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Harvester: gammon steak with fries, peas and salad followed by Raspberry & Coconut Sundae. Finally I caught the 20:53 train from Staines to Reading, followed by the 22:12 train to Bath, and reached home around 23:30. Another excellent birthday outing, it was great meeting Planenut, as I wasn't expecting to meet any RCCGB members that day. Ride queues were short if at all, hence my high ride count. The weather was mainly sunny and quite hot in the afternoon. Many people liked my self-designed birthday T-shirt. Some were puzzled by the front, until they saw the back. A strong contender to win Best Thrill Outing.More about this event available here
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Funland Hayling Island - Saturday 25 October
As if RCCGB Loopathon 2014 a fortnight earlier wasn't enough, there was still time for a last-minute bonus coaster trip to Funland, Hayling Island on Saturday 25 October. After an early rise I caught the 7:35 train from Bath Spa to Fareham, followed by the 9:40 train to Havant and bus to Funland. Having reached Funland around 10:40 there was time to enjoy for a coffee at Beachlands Café before Funland opened at 11:00. Once fitted with a wristband I enjoyed many rides, including all three coasters and both log flumes. New for 2014 was the Cyclone, a well-known funfair ride (also known as Twister), located where Breakdancer used to be. This is one still one of my favourite non-coaster rides, but once was enough for me for now. Lunchtime I enjoyed an all-day breakfast at Beachlands Café. After lunch I walked along the beach for a bit before returning to Funland around 14:30. The rest of the afternoon I enjoyed all three coasters, both log flumes and Cyclone again, plus the cauldron ride, Extreme (Miami) and helter skelter. My final ride just as the Park closed at 17:00 was the Samba Balloon, my first time of riding that. Having caught the bus back to Havant I went to Burger King, for a delicious Spanish style Whopper Meal, followed by a toffee sundae. Back at the station I caught the 19:18 train to Fareham followed by the 19:47 train to Bath Spa. I finally reached home around 21:55. Altogether another coaster crazy day out, and my final visit to an amusement park for 2014. The weather was reasonable; dry all day, two longish sunny intervals during the afternoon and considerably less windy than my previous Funland visit at the start of November 2013. One of the better contenders in the Best Thrill Outing group not a category winner.More about this event available here
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Skating at the BIC - Sunday 28 December
The final event in the Best Thrill Outing group. My main reason for this trip was to go ice skating on the temporary rink in the Purbeck Hall at the Bournemouth International Centre. The outing began when I caught the 09:00 train from Dorchester South to Bournemouth. Having arrived there around 9:45 I walked to the seafront. Once there time allowed for a much-needed cappuccino at Hot Rocks Café before proceeding to the BIC Purbeck Hall for the 11:00 ice skating session. Although billed to start at 11:00, the actual time on the ice was officially 11:15 to 12:15; however they started letting skaters who were ready on around 11:10. Whilst on the ice I had one fall early on. Thankfully that was my only fall during the session. Towards the end I tried a few bursts of one legged skating, but could only manage a few seconds at a time. At 12:15 all skaters were asked to leave the ice and return their skates. Having left the BIC I had fish and chips at The Chippy in the town centre. On this occasion I decided to eat in the restaurant there, as it was a bit cold to eat a takeaway outside. Afterwards I walked through the Lower Gardens, on Bournemouth Pier, along the promenade and beach to Toft Zig Zag, up Toft Zig Zag path and back along the cliff top and down East Cliff Slope to the Pier Approach. It was now dusk, so I headed back through the Lower Gardens to the Square in the town centre. There I noticed a carousel operating, so I had one go on the carousel, which was my final funfair ride for 2014. Afterwards I went to Shake Away for a coffee, but the place closed at 17:00 as I was part way through drinking it. Thankfully the coffee was in a paper cup so I was able to take my part drunk coffee outside to finish at a nearby seat. Perhaps McDonalds would have been a better place to go for a coffee at the time, as they open late. Finally I returned to the Travel Interchange and caught the 17:35 train back to Dorchester South. Altogether a great day out at the seaside on a winter day, which featured an hour of ice skating, a fish and chip lunch, a walk along the seafront and cliff top and one funfair ride. One seaside tradition I didn't have was an ice-cream, but quite frankly it was a bit cold for that. Best of all it was dry and sunny from dawn to dusk, albeit cold. Just like the ice in the rink and the air temperature outside, this event is likely to be left out in the cold in Best Thrill Outing.Back to the start of Best Thrill Outing
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Best Non-Thrill Outing
The Helicopter Museum - Thursday 15 May
A visit to the Helicopter Museum at Weston-super-Mare. Having arrived around 11:15, the room just past the shop was the obvious place to start. This room includes the history of the Museum, a 1934 Cierva 30A Autogiro (forerunner of the helicopter), and several model helicopters. Feeling peckish, my next stop was Choppers Café. Getting there just before midday enabled me to have a Pilot's Breakfast. Much of the afternoon I was in the main aircraft hangar, home to a vast collection of old helicopters. Exhibits included Bristol Sycamore Mk 3 1951 UK G-ALSX, some Russian helicopters (including Mil Mi-240 "Hind" 96 26 1981 Russia) and several Westland helicopters (e.g. Westland Lynx AH Mk 1 G-LYNX/ZA500 1978, Westland Whirlwind HCC Mk12 XR486 UK 1964). I finally left the museum around 16:40 and began my journey home; bus to Bristol (via Bristol Airport) followed by bus to Bath. Altogether an interesting museum visit; my second visit there to-date. My only disappointment was forgetting my camera, so it was not possible to photograph the helicopters or get my picture taken beside them. A middle of the road contender in the Best Non-Thrill Outing group but not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bradford-on-Avon to Bath Walk - Friday 30 May
Day one of a two-day walk from Bradford-on-Avon to Bristol, however the two days are considered as separate events here. Having caught the 11:07 train from Bath Spa to Bradford-on-Avon, a park near the canal was the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch before starting the walk. Around 12:10 I joined the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath at Bradford-on-Avon and began walking toward Bath. Along the way I stopped for a coffee at a tea room in Avoncliff and stopped again for a coffee and cake at Angelfish Restaurant near Dundas Aqueduct. I eventually reached Churchill Bridge, Bath just after 17:00. That was the end of my walk for Friday, but it was to be the start of my onward walk to Bristol next day. Altogether a pleasurable and scenic walk alongside the canal. The challenge of this long distance walk was a good enough reason to wear my red Sport Relief 2014 T-shirt for the first time, and some passers-by asked if I was doing this walk for Sport Relief. One of several middle of the road contenders in the Best Non-Thrill Outing group, but not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bath to Bristol Walk - Saturday 31 May
Day two of a two-day walk from Bradford-on-Avon to Bristol. Knowing Bath to Bristol is a considerably longer distance than Bradford-on-Avon to Bath, an earlier start was necessary on Saturday. Furthermore the challenge of walking a distance greater than that of a half marathon was the perfect reason to don my Bath Half 2014 Family Fun Run T-shirt. Around 9:45 I returned to Churchill Bridge, Bath to begin my walk to Bristol. The first section of the walk was along the Riverside Path as far as Brassmill Lane, whereupon I reached the official start of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path. From that point I walked along the Railway Path through Saltford to Bitton Station, the perfect place to eat my packed lunch on the platform and to have a coffee at the station buffet. After lunch I continued along the Railway Path, through Warmley station, Mangotsfield station, Staple Hill tunnel, Fishponds and Easton to St Phillips, the official end point of the Railway Path (marked by the twisty tree sculpture). Finally I walked through Old Market and Castle Park until I reached The Galleries Shopping Centre around 17:15. That was my official end point of my walk. Upon arrival there was still time to enjoy a much-needed coffee and slice of cake at Subway in the Galleries Food Court before closing time. The person who served me thought I was joking when I said I'd walked all the way from Bath to Bristol! Afterwards I walked to Bristol Bus Station to catch the next bus to Bath. On the whole another pleasurable and scenic long distance walk. Some passers-by asked if this two day walk from Bradford-on-Avon to Bristol was for an event or for charity, only to be told it was just for the fun of it. Although really the second part of a two-day walk, this is a separate event to Bradford-on-Avon to Bath the previous day as far as Event of the Year 2014 is concerned, and very much the superior one of the two. This is one of the most likely contenders to win Best Non-Thrill Outing.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol Harbourside - Wednesday 9 July
Last year the Gromit Unleashed trail took place around Bristol and beyond; it was a great pleasure finding them, and being photographed by them, over the course of several trips there. Sadly there was nothing like the 2011 Gorillas trail or 2013 Gromit Unleashed trail around Bristol in 2014. Never mind there was still plenty to see around Bristol, so it was my ambition to explore and photograph various parts of Bristol, and have pictures taken of me there this summer. Having caught a morning train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads I took a walk through Queen Square, Millennium Square, College Green and a complete circuit of the Harbourside Walk. Along the way there were plenty of scenes to photograph, and several sculptures / statues to have my picture taken beside. Late afternoon I had a coffee and slice of cake at the M Shed Café. Eventually I got back to the Millennium Square where I took a few more photos before returning to Temple Meads for the train back to Bath. Altogether a great day out on a summer day, the sunshine was intermittent, but at least it was dry all day. Unsurprisingly this ended up being the first of several similar trips to Bristol the rest of the summer. This particular one is among the weaker trips to Bristol in Best Non-Thrill Outing.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol: Brandon Hill and the Downs - Tuesday 22 July
My second of a series of sightseeing trips to Bristol. Having caught the bus from Bath to Bristol early morning, my first stop was Subway, The Galleries for a coffee. Afterwards I walked via Welsh Back and King Street to the city centre. From there I walked to Brandon Hill, where I went to the top of Cabot Tower. From both the balcony and top levels the panoramic views were breath-taking. After lunch at Subway in Queens Road, I caught the bus to Christ Church, Clifton. After a much-needed ice cream from a van I walked across Clifton Suspension Bridge into North Somerset, and back. Next I walked over Observatory Hill and along Clifton Down Road, past the Zoo to the main part of The Downs. Around 16:00 I enjoyed a coffee and cake at the café next to the water tower. The next 2½ hours were filled walking around The Downs, including Ladies Mile. Just after 19:00 I caught the bus to the city centre, followed by another bus to Arno's Vale, whereupon I went to Burger King for a large Whopper Meal, followed by a strawberry sundae. Finally I caught the bus to Bath. Altogether a grand day out on a hot sunny day, a substantial part of which was in The Downs, which must be one of Bristol's largest open spaces. I took plenty of photos of the sights and scenery, and had people take several pictures taken of me. Many people liked my "I am 6 times seven" T-shirt which I wore for this trip, when I explained that I originally designed it for my 42nd birthday last year, and also outlined what I did for my previous two birthdays, they thought I'm really creative. Of the many sightseeing and photography trips to Bristol this summer this is probably the best, but nonetheless unlikely to win Best Non-Thrill Outing.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol: Castle Park and Blaise Estate - Tuesday 29 July
Another sightseeing trip to Bristol, just seven days after the previous one. This time I caught the bus from Bath to Bristol via Hanham, and got to Bristol just after 10:20. On arrival I had a lemon meringue doughnut and coffee at Krispy Kreme, Cabot Circus. The rest of the morning I explored Castle Park, where I took several photos and had a few taken of me. After lunch at Subway The Galleries, I caught a bus to Blaise Estate. Having arrived just before 14:30 I had a coffee at the café. The rest of the afternoon I explored several parts of the estate, and took loads more photos, and had a fair few more taken of me. I was hoping to end up at the castle, and then leave through the gate by the café. Unfortunately I got a bit lost around the estate, after the Rhododendron Walk I ended up skirting around the edge of the golf course, and by the time I reached the valley bottom again I had completely lost my bearing on the map I had from the park office on arrival. Eventually it became necessary to abandon getting to the castle and became more concerned about getting out by the nearest exit in order to get back to the city centre. I finally exited Blaise Estate into Sea Mills, and from a bus stop near Sea Mills Library caught a bus to the city centre, whereupon I had just a short wait for the X39 bus to Bath. Altogether another grand day out, and best of all it was sunny most of the day. Although the sunshine became intermittent late afternoon it stayed dry. The biggest downfall was getting to Blaise Estate around 14:25; it would have been better to have got there by 13:30 to have had more time exploring the estate. One of many middle of the road contenders in Best Non-Thrill Outing, definitely not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol: Arno's Vale, Knowle and Bedminster - Monday 4 August
Another sightseeing trip to Bristol, this time predominantly exploring parks south of the city centre. This time I caught the X39 bus from Bath to Bristol. Having left the bus at Arno's Court, I walked around Arno's Court park for about three quarters of an hour. After leaving the park at the top of the hill, I walked to Knowle, and had a coffee at Broadwalk Shopping Centre. My next stop was Redcatch Park, which includes a garden. I spent just over half an hour exploring most of Redcatch Park. After that I walked to Victoria Park Bedminster. Unfortunately the sky had now clouded over, and shortly after my arrival there was a shower of rain. Thankfully the rain soon stopped and I continued exploring Victoria Park. Just after 13:00 I had a toastie and coffee at the park café. After lunch the sun was out again and I continued exploring parts of Victoria Park I hadn't yet seen. Altogether I was in Victoria Park for about two hours. Having finally left Victoria Park just after 14:00, I walked via St Michael & All Angels Church to Bedminster, whereupon I caught a bus to Greville Road. Once there I saw one of the Wow Gorillas from 2011, so had my photo taken with that gorilla sculpture. After an Americano at Savana Café Bar, my next port of call was Greville Smyth Park. In the next 40 minutes I explored most parts of this park. After a much needed coffee and slice of cake at Riverside Garden Centre Café, I found my way around the Cumberland Basin to The Pump House. The Gromit sculpture Gromberry which was there last summer happened to be back there today, so I took the chance to see him again. From a nearby bus stop I caught a bus to the bus station. After a brief visit to The Galleries Shopping Centre nearby, it was time to catch the bus from Victoria Street back to Bath. Altogether another grand day out in Bristol, though it's a pity it didn't remain dry and sunny all day. In all four parks I photographed plenty of scenery and had numerous photos taken of me. Another one of many middle of the road contenders in Best Non-Thrill Outing, definitely not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Wallace & Gromit From The Drawing Board - Tuesday 12 August
Although there was no Gromit Unleashed trail this year, an exhibition "Wallace & Gromit From The Drawing Board" took place at the M Shed this summer. In addition a series of Characters From Clay workshops took place at the M Shed, in which visitors were given step by step instructions to make their own Gromit or Shaun the Sheep to take home and keep. Naturally it made sense for me to go to a Characters From Clay workshop and exhibition the same day, especially as visitors had half price entry to the exhibition on the day of attending a Characters From Clay workshop. After travelling by train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads, and lunch at Subway Broad Quay, I walked straight to the M Shed. Having arrived at the M Shed around 12:15 I began by visiting the Wallace & Gromit exhibition on the second floor. The exhibition explained how films such as A Grand Day Out and The Wrong Trousers were made, and featured sets used in the Wallace and Gromit films. Altogether an interesting exhibition. Just before 14:00 it was time for me to leave the exhibition to go to the first floor studio for the Characters From Clay workshop I'd booked for. A lot of other people besides me were there to make their own Gromit from clay. Everyone was given the correct quantities of clay in the relevant colours. Someone from Aardman Animations then gave step by step instructions to make their Gromit. The session was supposed to last one hour, but it over-ran slightly. After the session ended I returned to the Wallace & Gromit exhibition to see the bits I'd missed earlier. Finally I had a coffee and slice of Victoria sponge at the M Shed Café before leaving. Having left I headed back to Temple Meads via Bathurst Basin. Altogether another excellent trip, the exhibition was interesting and making my own Gromit was great fun. I took a few photos of my Gromit in the making and the finished article, and also had a few photos taken of me both in the M Shed and on the way back to the station. One of the weakest Best Non-Thrill Outing contenders though.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Clevedon and Portishead - Saturday 30 August
Another sightseeing and photography trip in the Bristol area, this time with no specific places in mind. The only limitation was the First Outer Bristol Day Rider valid coverage area. Having caught the 9:30 bus from Bath Bus Station to Bristol city centre I decided to catch another bus Clevedon seafront. Upon arrival around 11:15 the next dilemma was what to do there or how long to stay. I began exploring part of the seafront. Around midday I had cheesy chips and coffee for lunch. After lunch I walked along the beach in the direction of the pier. Around 13:45 I had a coffee at a seafront, and afterwards walked along the seafront as far as the pier. So far it had been sunny, but around this time the sky clouded over. Having reached Clevedon Pier I went on it, and walked to the end. It was a bit hazy now, so although Wales could be seen, it was difficult seeing some of the landmarks mentioned at the pier end. Thankfully Steepholm, and the Second Severn Crossing were visible from the pier end. I also enjoyed a cream tea at the pier end tea room before leaving the pier. Around 15:45 I caught the bus from Clevedon to Portishead, and spent nearly an hour around the town centre; whilst there I had a cappuccino at Waitrose Café. I then caught the 17:00 bus to Cribbs Causeway. Once there I went inside The Mall where I saw a Gromit sculpture "Fact's The Way We Did It, Lad!" at the Gromit Unleashed shop. This was an extra Gromit that wasn't part of last year's trail, this extra one bears loads of interesting trivia about Gromit Unleashed including how much was raised in the auction at the end. Finally I caught the 18:15 number 319 bus from Cribbs Causeway Bus Station to Bath Bus Station; I was the only passenger to travel that service end to end this evening. Altogether another grand day out, it was dry all day and sunny until mid-afternoon. I took several photos of the scenery and had several taken of me. Another middle of the road contender in Best Non-Thrill Outing, definitely not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol: Kingswood, Staple Hill and Eastville - Tuesday 2 September
The start of September, and sightseeing trips to Bristol continued. This began aboard the 8:05 bus from Bath Bus Station to Kingswood. Despite sunshine upon leaving Bath, when I reached Kingswood at 9:15 it was overcast, which was annoying. After a much-needed coffee at Boswell's Café I walked around Kingswood Park for nearly an hour, during which the sun reappeared. Next I caught a bus to Staple Hill whereupon I explored Page Park, including its Sensory Garden, for nearly an hour. The sun was much brighter now. At 12:45 I caught a bus to Emersons Green Retail Park, and had lunch at Subway there. After lunch I found another green space behind Emersons Green Library, which was also worth a walk around for just over half an hour. I was undecided about where to go next, but in any case first had to leave Emersons Green on a bus bound for the city centre, and perhaps change buses en route. Passing through Eastville I spotted Eastville Park, so I left the bus there and explored Eastville Park next. This park is enormous, and includes a large lake. In approximately 1½ hours I walked all around the lake, and around the rest of Eastville Park. Having left Eastville Park the time was after 16:30. I caught a bus to Cabot Circus, whereupon I enjoyed a much-needed Vanilla Cappuccino doughnut and regular Americano at Krispy Kreme. After 18:00 I caught a bus from Bristol Bus Station to Bath Bus Station and reached home around 19:15. Altogether a great day out on a predominantly sunny day at the beginning of September. I took plenty of photos of the scenery and had several pictures taken of me. Likely to get lost among other middle of the road events in Best Non-Thrill Outing and with little hope of winning that category.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Bristol: Henbury, Westbury and Clifton - Tuesday 9 September
One might have thought I would be running out of places to explore around Bristol by now, but clearly this was not the case. This time I set off around 9:10 on the bus from Bath to Bristol city centre. After a coffee at the St Nicholas Market Café I caught a bus to Horfield, whereupon I walked around Horfield Common for about an hour. Late morning I caught a bus to Henbury, where I walked around Barnard Park, and had a baguette from Greggs Bakers for lunch. After lunch I caught a bus with the intention of heading towards the city centre. As the bus approached Westbury-on-Trym, I left the bus and took time to explore Canford Park, which was previously unknown to me. Canford Park was definitely worth breaking my journey for. After a much-needed cappuccino and slice of carrot cake at a café in Westbury-on-Trym, I caught a bus from Westbury-on-Trym to Blackboy Hill, and walked down Whiteladies Road, as far as the RWA. There were a few more sights to see from the pavement here including a couple of churches. Having reached the fountains near the University Victoria Rooms, I walked up Queens Road and saw The Mall Gardens and Victoria Square. I also had a coffee at café in Clifton Village around 17:30. Finally I caught a bus back to the city centre, followed by the connecting bus to Bath, and eventually got home around 19:20. Altogether another grand day out, and best of all it was a hot sunny late summer day. What a pity there weren't more days like this one back in July and August. Anyway I took loads of photos of the scenery, and had some pictures taken of me. Likely to get lost among other middle of the road events in Best Non-Thrill Outing and with little hope of winning that category.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Central Bristol - Thursday 11 September
My second trip to Bristol in one week. This time I caught the 10:02 train from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads. On arrival I walked via Valentine Bridge, Avon Street, Passage Street and Castle Park to The Galleries where I had a coffee at Subway in The Galleries Food Court. My next stop was St James Park. Perhaps not the most picturesque of Bristol's parks, this was nonetheless worth a look around. After a Sub meal at Subway, Union Street I climbed the Christmas Steps. Having reached the top of Christmas Steps, I walked up St Michael's Hill, and unexpectedly discovered Cabot's Almshouse. Another beautiful looking historic building, it's a pity the top of the hospital can be seen behind it. After walking around Royal Fort Gardens I had a coffee at The Bake House in Elton Road. My next stop was Berkeley Square, another small green space worth exploring. From there I walked down Park Street, across the city centre and along Corn Street. Outside the Corn Exchange one cannot miss the four nails. However I was surprised to discover they weren't all put there at once, but one by one over many years. Late afternoon I headed to Cabot Circus, where I enjoyed a much-needed Caramel Crunch doughnut and regular cappuccino at Krispy Kreme. I left Cabot Circus via the bridge and car park staircase and came out by The Phoenix pub. My last known time of passing that pub was on a family shopping trip to Broadmead late January 1995 as a consequence of parking in the NCP Parkway multi-storey car park. The immediate vicinity of The Phoenix has changed considerably since then; the road in front has been paved over, and of course the NCP Parkway multi-storey was demolished and replaced with the present Cabot Circus car park when Cabot Circus was built. Finally I took a rapid walk around St Matthias Park before returning to Temple Meads for the 17:49 train to Bath Spa. Another great day out to Bristol. Despite covering a more compact area than Tuesday, there was nonetheless plenty to see and photograph this time. It's a pity the morning sunshine start didn't last all day; the sky clouded over around midday to leave occasional glimpses of the sun, but at least it stayed dry all day. One of the weakest Best Non-Thrill Outing group contenders, no hope of winning.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Tyntesfield - Wednesday 17 September
"From the ordinary to the extraordinary" After my flying visit last year to Tyntesfield just to see the Gromit sculpture in the main courtyard there, my ambition was to visit Tyntesfield properly this year. Around 9:20 I caught a bus to Bristol followed by a bus to Tyntesfield. Having arrived around 10:45, the main courtyard was just a short walk along the driveway. After a much-needed coffee at the Cow Barn Kitchen restaurant I entered the gardens. Around midday it was time for me to go into the House. I was expecting to take about an hour in there, but it took me approximately two hours as there is so much to see in there. Rooms downstairs included the scullery, kitchen, organ room, drawing room, morning room, oak room, library and dining room. Upstairs I saw several bedrooms and finished at the chapel. After leaving the House around 14:00 I walked to the Pavilion Café for a much-needed panini and coffee. During the rest of the afternoon I explored the gardens, starting with the orangery and Jubilee Garden, Kitchen Garden and Lady Wraxall's Garden. Next I saw the terrace along the south side of the House. This area contained several large flower beds filled with tagetes, French marigolds and African marigolds. After that I walked around the Rose Garden and Paradise, and exited the gardens via the path running past the Chaplain's House. Back at the main courtyard, there was just time for me to enjoy a cream tea at the Cow Barn Kitchen restaurant before returning to the bus stop, whereupon I caught the next bus to Bristol followed by a bus to Bath. Altogether a great day out and best of all it was a beautiful sunny mid-September day, hot enough for just T-shirt and shorts from around 11:00. This time I wore my navy London 2012 T-shirt, and some people I spoke to at Tyntesfield asked if I competed in the 2012 Olympics! This could well win the Best Non-Thrill Outing group.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Avonmouth and Ashton Court - Monday 22 September
Yet another sightseeing trip to Bristol. Having caught a bus from Bath Spa to Bristol city centre, I caught an onward bus to Avonmouth. Unfortunately that turned out to be a time costly mistake, as there was nothing worth seeing in Avonmouth. After a quick cup of coffee and a walk around a few streets there I was glad to catch a bus back towards the city centre. Unsure what to do next I got off at Westbury Road, for the possibility of going on up to Cribbs Causeway. Since it was now almost midday, I walked into nearby Henleaze and had some lunch at Parsons Bakers. After lunch my next decision was whether to go to Cribbs Causeway, and back to the city centre later, or to the city centre now. After some thought I caught a bus to College Green, followed by a bus from nearby Hotwells to Ashton Court. I entered Ashton Court estate at the top of the hill and spent most of the rest of the afternoon there. After a coffee at the café by the golf course, I walked through the meadows and along the Woodland Walks. There was plenty to see along the way. Eventually I reached the mansion courtyard, where I had another coffee from the mansion café. Finally I left the estate via the lower exit and caught the next bus back to Bristol Bus Station. A little later I caught a bus from Victoria Street to Bath. On the whole, a day out which got off to a disappointing start (Avonmouth) but turned out turned out to great in the end (my afternoon in Ashton Court estate). Best of all it was a beautiful sunny day, hot enough for just T-shirt and shorts during the afternoon, on what was officially the last day of summer. I took plenty of photos and had several pictures taken of me. Likely to get lost among other middle of the road events in Best Non-Thrill Outing and with little hope of winning that category.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Wells - Wednesday 1 October
Another day out, just one day after my birthday outing to Thorpe Park. Thankfully this was much closer to home. Around 9:10 I caught a bus from Bath Bus Station to Wells, and got there around 10:30. After a coffee at Parsons Bakers I walked around Wells Cathedral Green, and Vicars' Close. It was now lunchtime, so I went to Parsons Bakers for a pasty and coffee. Afterwards I considered going into the Bishops Palace. For various reasons I decided not to go into the Palace and Gardens, but did walk along the paths outside the Palace walls and moat, until I was back at the Cathedral Green. Mid-afternoon I went into the Cathedral, and took my time walking around various parts of it. Just before leaving I had a coffee and jam tart at the Cathedral Café. Around 16:45 I caught the bus to Bristol, followed by a bus to Bath, and finally reached home around 19:30. This was to see more of the Mendip countryside than going directly to Bath the route I took in the morning. On the whole, another great day out. The weather was indifferent, including sunny spells in the morning and late afternoon, with an overcast spell and light showers in between. Once again I took plenty of photos and had several pictures taken of me. I wore my navy Hogwarts T-shirt for the first time, some people I spoke to quite liked it and even said it's just the thing to wear around the Cathedral and Vicars' Close. Another one likely to get lost among numerous middle of the road events in Best Non-Thrill Outing and with little hope of winning that category.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Westonbirt Arboretum - Tuesday 28 October
The final event in the Best Non-Thrill Outing group, a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum. This outing began when I caught the 7:45 bus from Bath Bus Station to Cross Hands, followed by the connecting 9:30 bus to Westonbirt Arboretum. Having arrived at 9:48 I headed for the entrance, and was surprised to discover a new admissions building has been built since my August 2013 visit. Once admitted I walked around the Silk Wood. I didn't stick religiously to the orange trail, I went along Waste Drive and part way along Oak Avenue, until I temporarily detoured from Oak Avenue to loop around some grass tracks. Eventually I re-joined Oak Avenue further along. Soon afterwards I looped around the Rotary Glade and Maple Loop, and finally along Willesley Drive back to the central area. After having cheesy chips and a coffee for lunch, I went into the Old Arboretum. Again I didn't stick slavishly to the purple autumn trail, but nonetheless saw some impressive autumn foliage colours. I walked around part of Circular Drive and Main Drive to Acer Glade, before returning to the central area. Around 14:20 I left the Arboretum to catch the 14:39 bus to Cross Hands followed by a bus to Yate Bus Station and another bus to Bristol. Just before 17:00 I went to Krispy Kreme in Cabot Circus to enjoy a Halloween doughnut and an Americano coffee. Later I caught a bus from Bristol Bus Station to Bath, and got back around 19:15. Altogether a great day out. It was great seeing trees with autumn coloured leaves, and falling leaves; the Rotary Glade and Acer Glade being the best in my opinion. Best of all there was bright sunshine until I had my lunch, and mainly sunny till I left the Arboretum. An added bonus was it was surprisingly mild for late October, warm enough for T-shirt and shorts from around noon! One of the better events in the Best Non-Thrill Outing group, but an unlikely to win the category.Back to the start of Best Non-Thrill Outing
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Best Show
In this context "show" is used as a loose term to include the five films I saw at ODEON Cinema, Bath, and various TV shows. Dorchester Carnival and Bath Firework Display are also included in this group as they were public displays which attracted spectators. Altogether there are eleven events in this group.The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Monday 6 January
Having seen The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at ODEON Bath January 2013, I was eager to see the second part The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug there in January 2014. It was quite a gripping film, with Gandalf, Frodo and the dwarves encountering many challenges on their journey. It was amazing how they somehow found a way to escape from one difficult situation, only to move on into another! The climax was when they faced the challenge of killing the mountain dragon at the end. Naturally the end of this middle bit left me keen to see the final instalment in January 2015. Even so, this film is likely to be overshadowed by other contenders in the Best Show category.Back to the start of Best Show
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The Lego Movie - Monday 17 February
"Everything is awesome". My second visit to the ODEON Cinema, Bath for 2014, this time to see The Lego Movie. Undeniably it's a kids' film but I wanted to see it as Lego was my favourite toy when I was a kid. Unsurprisingly the two key characters were Lego mini figures, those being construction site worker Emmet and Wyldstyle, and the majority of the film was set in a large Lego construction. It was quite a good film, clever how the animation was done, though what with the way it went from one scene to another I didn't really see a plot to it. Towards the end there was one scene which I found particularly confusing and saw no connection with the rest of the film. This film is definitely one of the weaker contenders in the Best Show category.Back to the start of Best Show
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Muppets Most Wanted - Monday 7 April
My third visit to ODEON Cinema Bath for 2014, this time to see Muppets Most Wanted. Immediately after the certificate appeared there was a Monsters University short, which lasted about 6 or 7 minutes. The significance of this seemed somewhat confusing, as there appeared to be no link between it and Muppets Most Wanted which followed. Once that short film finished, Muppets Most Wanted began with "The End". Presumably that was a follow on from a previous Muppet film, as this was followed by the Muppets singing "Let's Make A Sequel", and the official title page afterwards. The main theme of this Muppet film was a world tour, with the Muppets performing The Muppet Show in Berlin, Madrid and Dublin. Mind you, one could hardly call it a "world tour" considering they were all European cities. A true world tour would also have included performances in, for example Nairobi, Cairo, Johannesburg, Delhi, Tokyo, Melbourne, Buenos Aries, etc. Unfortunately early on a dangerous Kermit lookalike called Constantine escaped from a Siberian prison and was on the run. Whilst the Muppets were in Berlin a mix-up occurred between Constantine and the real Kermit. As the film progressed, the frog leading the tour was Constantine, who seemed intent on causing trouble along the way, and Kermit ended up in prison. Eventually the main focus turned to freeing Kermit. Altogether, a great film, although very much a kids' film. For once I actually managed to grasp the plot and follow it through from start to finish. Finally it was worth me staying until the end of the credits, as there were a few surprises dotted among them, and right at the very end. Five stars from me and a likely contender to win Best Show.Back to the start of Best Show
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Eurovision Song Contest - Tuesday 6 May to Saturday 10 May
"#JoinUs" The 59th Eurovision Song Contest was held at the B&W Hallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark, with two semi-finals in the week and the final Saturday night. 39 countries took part, of whom the Big Five (UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy), plus the host country Denmark, qualified directly to the final. All other countries had to participate in a semi-final to win a place in the final. UK coverage of both semi-finals was on BBC Three. The ten semi-final 1 qualifiers were: Montenegro, Hungary, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Ukraine, Sweden, The Netherlands, Iceland; whereas the ten lucky ones from semi-final 2 were: Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Norway, Greece, Malta, Belarus, Finland, Austria. One again my surprises and disappointments were aplenty when the qualifiers of both semi-finals were announced. Tuesday evening I was overjoyed to see San Marino and Montenegro both qualify for the first time ever, as both had good songs worthy of being in the final. However that evening I was annoyed to see Azerbaijan and Armenia qualify, as their entries were, in my opinion, not up to much. Belgium and Portugal, who failed to qualify, had better entries than Azerbaijan and Armenia, and deserved the places Azerbaijan and Armenia took. Thursday evening I was disappointed Israel didn't qualify as their entry was a powerful song which really deserved a place in the final. At the other extreme I was appalled and disgusted that Poland qualified as their entry was a load of nauseating garbage. Of course the highlight was the Grand Final Saturday evening, in which there were 26 finalists. Ukraine kicked off the contest with Mariya Yaremchuk singing "Tick - Tock", accompanied by a man in the giant hamster wheel. It finished 6th place with 113 points. Three songs which I particularly liked deserve a mention. Firstly the Tolmachevy Sisters, who won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Russia in 2006, represented Russia in this year's adult Eurovision Song Contest with "Shine". An excellent song with a really catchy chorus, it deserved better than 7th place and 89 points, and definitely did not deserve the booing that occurred whenever Russia got points during the voting. Secondly Hungary's entry "Running" sung by András Kállay-Saunders was a ballad with a really lively, catchy chorus, and one of the best songs of the night. It definitely deserved 5th place and 143 points. Thirdly Valentina Monetta representing San Marino, for the third year running, and reaching the final at the third attempt, singing "Maybe (Forse)". This beautiful ballad was, in my opinion, one of the best finalists, and deserved much higher than 24th place and 14 points. Once again all 37 countries, including the 11 which failed to qualify, voted in the final. Well done to Austria in winning for the first time since their previous (and only) win in 1966. That means Austria now take the record for longest gap between wins (1966 - 2014), beating the previous record held by Denmark of 37 years (1963 - 2000). "Rise Like a Phoenix" sung by Conchita Wurst was a well-deserved winner, it was a first class performance of an excellent song which reminded me of a James Bond film theme, and another of my most liked songs in the Grand Final. Well done to the Netherlands too in coming second. After their eight year run of entering every year and failing to qualify 2005 to 2012 inclusive, and finishing 9th in the final with "Birds" last year, their entry this year "Calm After The Storm" by The Common Linnets finished second with 238 points. Their entry too was a good song which I quite liked. If this is anything to go by, it looks like the Netherlands could be enjoying a revival. Commiserations to the UK's Molly, whose "Children of the Universe" finished 17th with 40 points; I thought she deserved better and ought to have finished in the top ten. Looking positively though, 17th out of 26 finalists isn't that bad; 9 finalists finished below the UK, and a further 11 countries failed to reach the final. Altogether three great nights of entertainment. Can ORF do as well or better in 2015? Time will tell. For now this is one of the best contenders in the Best Show group and could go close to winning the category.More about this event available here: First semi-final Second semi-final Grand Final
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Dorchester Carnival - Saturday 14 June
A Saturday evening in the middle of June meant it was time for Dorchester Carnival. Since I was in Dorchester the weekend it took place, I went to see it. This time the procession went the opposite way around to last year, i.e. anticlockwise instead of clockwise. When I arrived just before 18:00 I stood in Weymouth Avenue, near The Junction, in order to be near the start of the route. As usual Dorchester Carnival Band led the procession. The theme was movies, though quite frankly I question what the rest of the entries had to do with films. Wessex FM were next with their float featuring cowboys and Indians. Other entries worth mentioning include Sunny Days Nursery, with their Alice in Wonderland themed float, cheerleaders Distinction Dance Company waving arms to "I'd like to Move It" whilst walking along and Dorchester Community Nursery School whose float featured children dressed as gnomes. One of the best entries of all was, in my opinion, Lyme Regis Majorettes twirling batons and pompoms whilst walking along; it's amazing how they did it. After seeing the entire procession from start to finish, I walked to nearby Gibbs and Dandy and waited there. Shortly afterwards I was able to see the procession again from start to finish, near the end of the course. This time around Distinction Dance Company stopped for a moment to produce a formation of one member standing on two members' shoulders; amazing. On the whole I was disappointed with the Carnival this time. Well done anyway to all those who entered. At least the weather was good; despite showers being forecast earlier in the day for around the time of the procession, it remained dry throughout. Not one to be rated particularly highly in Best Show.Back to the start of Best Show
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World Cup Final - Sunday 13 July
The month-long FIFA World Cup 2014 drew to a close with the final at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday 13 July 2014. Keen see it, I donned my FIFA World Cup logo T-shirt and went to The Royal Oak, Widcombe for increased atmosphere. Several goal attempts were saved during the first half. About 20 odd minutes into the first half it looked as though Argentina scored their first goal; the GOAL message even appeared in the top left hand corner, but the goal was disallowed for some mysterious reason. During stoppage time one of Germany's headers led to what initially looked like a goal, only to also be disallowed. Whatever next, one disallowed goal from each side in the first half? Thus the score at half time was Germany 0-0 Argentina. There were plenty more attempted goals saved in the second half, but even with substitutions, neither side managed a successful goal. After 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the score was still Germany 0-0 Argentina. That necessitated extra time, which got off to an exciting start, but still neither side scored a valid goal in the first 15 minutes of extra time. The second half of extra time began, but several more minutes passed by without a goal. In the 23rd minute of extra time Germany's Mario Götze scored the first valid goal of the night. At last, a winner was in sight, but there was still time for Argentina to equalise. From this point onwards I was hoping that wouldn't happen. A few minutes later Argentina came close to equalising, but missed. After 30 minutes of extra time, nearly four more minutes of stoppage time were played. A free kick for Argentina still failed to score an equaliser. Eventually the final whistle went. Final score Germany 1, Argentina 0. Congratulations to Germany winning FIFA World Cup 2014. Altogether an exciting final, but it took until very late in extra time to get the vital winning goal for Germany. Well done also to Argentina as runners-up, by getting to the final they went one step further than the semi-finals. Middle of the road perhaps in Best Show, not a category winner.Back to the start of Best Show
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Bath Firework Display - Saturday 8 November
The annual Bath Fireworks Display on the Recreation Ground. Since my ticket was a blue one, I had to stand in the Terrace, facing the rugby pitch. That was my first ever time of standing there to watch the firework display; previous years I've been on the part of the Recreation Ground set aside for spectators facing the firework area. Initially I wondered if my view between where I stood and the fireworks area on the Recreation Ground would be blocked by the East Stand. Just before 19:40 there was a 10 second countdown to the start of the fireworks, but someone evidently misjudged the time because part way through, the count was reset to 10, and counting down again. Thankfully it was for real this time when 0 was reached; the fireworks began. All the fireworks went really high, and were clearly visible in the air to blue ticket holders like me on the Terrace. There was a wide assortment of fireworks including champagne poppers, fountains and giant rockets, in an assortment of colours. One lot of fireworks was a really bright white. The finale was when numerous giant rockets exploded in the air to reveal an assortment of colours simultaneously. Abruptly, after about 18 minutes, the fireworks ceased, and the display was over. Altogether a good display, but I think it could have been better accompanied by some powerful music. For me, watching the fireworks from the Terrace turned out alright as the fireworks were visible in the air, but I still think the part of the Recreation Ground with an unobstructed view of the firing area is a better viewpoint. Just like previous years the fireworks ended everyone wanted to leave at once and it took me several minutes to walk from the Terrace to the Riverside Path. A damp squib in the Best Show group.Back to the start of Best Show
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BBC Children In Need - Friday 14 November
The annual BBC Children In Need 2014 telethon took place on Friday 14 November, and continued into the small hours of Saturday. Once again I watched the show live Friday evening until about quarter past midnight, and the rest on video next morning. What an amazing evening of entertainment it was. One of the best bits of Friday evening was when children's choirs around the country simultaneously sang 'I'll Stand By You'. Just like most recent years a Children In Need single was performed during the evening, this time it was "Wake Me Up" by Gareth Malone and his All Star Choir. Other bits I particularly liked were Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease Enders (which featured the cast of EastEnders performing Grease songs), Strictly Come Dancing, the short Tom and Jerry cartoon and Boyzone "I'll Be There". As usual the songs and sketches were interspersed with appeal films, some of which were shown more than once. The final song of the night was The Kinks - "Sunny Afternoon" just before the grand total was announced; an excellent way to round off a night of entertainment. The end-of-night total was £32,620,469. Amazing! Well done to all who helped raise that colossal amount. Nonetheless this is one of the weaker Best Show contenders.Back to the start of Best Show
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Junior Eurovision Song Contest - Saturday 15 November
"#together" The 12th Junior Eurovision Song Contest took place at Malta Shipbuilding, Marsa, Malta. 16 countries took part, which was an improvement on 2013 when 12 countries took part. The 16 participating countries in order of performance were Belarus, Bulgaria, San Marino, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Sweden, Ukraine, Slovenia, Montenegro, Italy, Armenia, Russia, Serbia, Malta, Netherlands. Among these, Italy, Montenegro, Slovenia were taking part for the first time. Although the UK did not take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2014, I watched the live webcast of it online. Of the 16 countries that took part, I liked Armenia, Serbia and Malta the best. During televoting all the artists were on stage together singing the group song "Together", which I felt was better than some of the participating entries! When it was time for the voting, all countries were given 12 points at the start, in order to avoid the possibility of anyone finishing on nul points. Mind you, if a country failed to get any further points, and thus end on 12 points, it would, in my opinion, be just as bad as finishing on nul points. The Kids' Jury announced their points, and after that each country announced its points in order of performance. Italy, who was one of the three début countries, won with 159 points. I wasn't particularly keen on Italy's entry "Tu primo grande amore" sung by soloist Vincenzo Cantiello. His smart outfit was about the only good thing about it; the song as a whole was, in my opinion, not very tuneful and way too overpowering at times. I'd much rather Armenia's "People Of The Sun" sung by Betty (which came 3rd with 146 points) had won instead; it was a really catchy song, very well sung and with a great dance routine from the backing group including the use of banners. Anyway well done to Italy for winning with their first ever attempt, it was the first time since the first ever Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 that a new country won with its first ever entry. One final bit of trivia, this contest happened eleven years to the very day after the first ever Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003. Furthermore 16 countries took part in 2003, just like 2014; however the line-up of countries was somewhat different to this year. For example the UK entered in 2003, but not this year. Any hope of the UK making a comeback in 2015? Another good Junior Eurovision Song Contest, but as always this was tame compare to the adult contest in May. One of the weaker Best Show contenders, no hope of winning the category.Back to the start of Best Show
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Interstellar - Tuesday 18 November
My fourth visit to ODEON cinema in Bath for 2014, this time to see the space travel film Interstellar. On arrival I treated myself to a Ben & Jerrys 2-scoop ice cream: Cookie Dough and Cherry Garcia before entering the auditorium. After the adverts and trailers Interstellar finally began at 19:29. Early on a car was being driven along a rough track and, after one of its tyres became punctured, it continued to be driven through a field of maize. Further on astronaut Cooper was about to embark on a mission to a planet outside our solar system. Cooper said to his daughter he'll be back. Anyway the astronauts went to Saturn, through a worm hole and visited a sea planet with mega enormous waves and an icy/rocky planet. Things got really gripping with getting the astronauts on to the space ship from the icy/rocky planet, and problems docking with the mother ship afterwards. I was mystified as to why the docking problems were happening now, as they seemed to have no problems with the two spaceships docking earlier. After that I completely lost track of the plot and felt the film was going on forever. One scene that totally confused me was seeing an astronaut in a 3D matrix. To me this part of the film seemed a bit far-fetched. At 22:10 the screen went blank and the credits appeared. Unlike some of my cinema visits, I decided not to sit through to the end of the credits this time. Altogether a good film, definitely worth seeing at the cinema, though its 2 hours and 49 minutes duration was a bit long for my liking. One of the better contenders in the Best Show category but unlikely to win.Back to the start of Best Show
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Paddington - Tuesday 16 December
Having seen several Paddington Bear stories on TV as a child, I was keen to see the film Paddington at ODEON Bath during December. I arrived well before it was due to start, and treated myself to a Ben & Jerrys ice cream: Cherry Garcia and Caramel Chew Chew before entering the auditorium. After the adverts and trailers the film began with a short near square framed black and white film of an explorer's visit to Darkest Peru. Next the message "Several years later" appeared, and it went widescreen colour. The next few scenes featured the young bear with his aunt and uncle. After an earthquake, the young bear and his aunt went along a river. Eventually the young bear hid on a large ship to London, but his aunt couldn't go. The young bear made it all the way to London, until a family discovered him at London Paddington railway station and named him Paddington. Unsurprisingly First Great Western HSTs were in the station, but when Michael Bond started writing Paddington books HSTs didn't exist! The family who found him were initially prepared to put Paddington up for one night, but a series of adventures and mayhem around London arose thereafter. Anyway it was an exciting film which had my attention the rest of the way through till the credits began to roll. I was the only one to stay till the end of the credits, though to be honest I needn't have bothered as there were no bonus surprises or scenes during or at the end of the credits (unlike Monsters University). This was my final visit to ODEON Bath for 2014, and furthermore this happened 10 years after my first ever time of seeing a film there, Phantom of the Opera in December 2004. A likely high flyer in Best Show but don't expect this to win that category.Back to the start of Best Show
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Best Party
This group includes family meals out, as well as some buffet lunches. It must be said all eight contenders in this category are somewhat low-key really, but under the present rules one will nonetheless have to go through to the Ultimate Winner round at the expense of superior non-winners of other categories.Easter Sunday Pub Meal - Sunday 20 April
An evening meal with family and friends at the Sun Inn near Dorchester. My chosen main course was steak and ale pie, served with chips and peas, it was delicious. Some of the others chose a carvery roast for main course. To round off the meal, I had chocolate lumpy bumpy for dessert, yummy! Some of the others had a dessert too. It just goes to show, I wasn't the only member of the group who believes a meal is not complete without a pudding! In addition I had a pint of bitter to drink. Altogether a delicious meal and friendly get-together on Easter Sunday evening. Whether or not it was intended to be a way of celebrating Easter Sunday will remain shrouded in mystery for evermore, but as far as I'm concerned, I personally see it as an Easter Sunday meal being as it happened Easter Sunday evening. For once the first event in the Best Party group is the most likely category winner.Back to the start of Best Party
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Brenden's Birthday Meal - Saturday 24 May
Another family and friends meal out, this time at Zizzi in Brewery Square, Dorchester. The purpose of this meal was to celebrate Brenden's birthday. Not so much an evening meal, more a late afternoon meal as the table was booked for a 16:30 start. The reason for going there such an unusual time was because, at the time of booking, the only vacant tables were at 16:30 or 21:00, and since 21:00 was considered too late in the evening, that just left the late afternoon slot of 16:30. My main course was Classic Quattro Stagioni, a thin based pizza topped with mushrooms, ham, pepperoni, artichokes and olives. Delicious but it's just as well I supplemented it my share of the garlic bread which was ordered for us all to enjoy. Naturally I wanted a dessert to complete my meal, and faced with the dilemma of one of the sundaes on the menu, or a slice of Tiramisu. I ended up with the compromise of a Tiramisu sundae which, although not on the menu, the kitchen staff was able to make up. I finished off with a cappuccino coffee; it had so much cocoa on top you couldn't see the white froth. Back home the celebrations continued with a hamburger styled birthday cake, of which everyone including me had a slice. Altogether a pleasant get-together but middle of the road at best in the Best Party group.Back to the start of Best Party
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Indian Birthday Meal - Saturday 27 September
My 43rd birthday celebrations began the Saturday evening before my birthday with an Indian takeaway meal, just like in 2013. Each of us chose a different curry; my curry, rice and onion bhaji were delicious. This was followed by my birthday cake, which this time happened to be a Tesco Chocolate Cake. Although not home-made, it was delicious, and thankfully all of us still had room to enjoy a slice unlike after the 2013 Indian meal! That was effectively the end of this pre-birthday do, as the rest of the evening was no different to any other Saturday evening. It would have been nice to have done something extra afterwards, e.g. played a game. Altogether a pleasurable start to my 43rd birthday celebrations, but it's probably just as well this is segregated by category from the main event Birthday Special at Thorpe Park on the actual day of my birthday. As for what happens if both are present in the Ultimate Winner round, well that's another story if it materialises. However this is highly unlikely to win Best Party.Back to the start of Best Party
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Percy Peer Led Group Coffee Morning - Friday 10 October
In October 2014 a peer led group was started, with sessions to be held at the Percy Centre, Bath on Friday mornings. To mark its start-up, a coffee morning was held there on Friday 10 October 2014. Several people including me turned up for this coffee morning. In addition to coffee, a selection of cakes and biscuits was available for attendees to consume. Just about everyone including me had their share of cakes and biscuits during the course of the morning. Some including me had more than one visit to the cake and biscuit table. Altogether a friendly gathering before normal sessions began one week later. A middle of the road contender in the Best Party group.Back to the start of Best Party
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Percy Peer Led Group Christmas Buffet - Friday 19 December
The final Peer Led Group session before Christmas at the Percy Centre, Bath, and for that reason a Christmas buffet was organised. Several members including me were present. Contents of the buffet table included quiche, small sausage rolls, mini pasties, cocktail sausages, pork pie, ham and mince pies. A simple but adequate selection. Everyone including me had their fair share of food from the table; some including me had more than one plateful. Altogether a pleasant Christmas buffet, many thanks to the staff for providing it, but one of the this is weaker contenders in the Best PartyBack to the start of Best Party
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Hay Hill Christmas Buffet - Tuesday 23 December
A noticeable drop in attendance at Hay Hill Social Centre, Bath during the course of 2014 questioned the feasibility of a full scale Christmas party like that of recent years. Anyway a decision was made to hold a simple buffet on the final Tuesday before Christmas. A fair few members including me turned up to enjoy a buffet, the contents of which was more or less the same as that provided at the Percy Centre four days earlier. On the whole, this was a pleasant Christmas function. Admittedly the buffet was modest compared to the Hay Hill Christmas parties of 2011 to 2013, and there was no disco or pantomime this time, but I was most grateful for what was provided. Hay Hill Christmas Party was in the top two in 2012 and 2013, but this year's scaled back effort will be one of the weaker contenders in Best Party this time.Back to the start of Best Party
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Christmas Day - Thursday 25 December
Normal service resumed for Christmas Day 2014; no visitors for lunch unlike 2013. After a quiet start, the Christmas spirit really began mid-morning with preparation of lunch, which took the rest of the morning. Around noon it was time for me and Ann to open our presents. Most of my presents were typical regulars, including toiletries and an item of confectionery, that being a box of Maltesers. One of my presents was a Libra book with a day by day forecast for each day of 2015. Once gift opening was over, I gave my Christmas speech, accompanied by a Microsoft Power Point presentation. This was followed by my performance of "It's a very special time ZingZilla Christmas". It was now time for Christmas lunch in the conservatory. No starter this time, as it was decided a main course and pudding would be sufficient. The main course consisted of turkey crown, sausage in bacon, stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables. After a break, Christmas pudding and cream rounded off the meal. Lunch finished just in time for me to watch the Top of the Pops Christmas 2014. Even though regular weekly present-day editions of that finished several years ago now, it's great the BBC still shows current-year Christmas Day specials of Top of the Pops. Early evening I watched Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which was won by Louis Smith and Aliona Vilani. Afterwards Ann and I went to visit nearby friends. This was a time for conversation and more gift exchanging. Back home tea was simple, turkey and ham salad roll. The rest of the evening was just chill-out time. On the whole a quieter Christmas Day than 2013, in that it lacked games, but still quite a lively one. This is one of the stronger contenders in Best Party.Back to the start of Best Party
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New Year's Eve - Wednesday 31 December
Goodbye, Da boch, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Adiós. Arrivederci 2014! To see out 2014 and welcome in 2015, I went to The Bakers Arms, Dorchester. I got there just before 21:00 and there was quiet music in the background. Around 22:15 the staff put the TV on for Alan Carr's New Year Spectacular on Channel 4. At 23:20 the TV was switched to BBC2 for Jools Hootenany, which included various songs until midnight. During the final 10 seconds of 2014 there was a 10-second countdown, which I joined in with, and at the stroke of midnight pipers began playing Auld Lang Syne. At this point everyone set off party poppers, which were provided by the pub, and several customers including me joined in with Auld Lang Syne. Some people left after that, but I stayed a little longer to finish my final drink, and continued watching Jools Hootenany, during which time more songs were performed. I finally left just after half past midnight. On the whole a fairly low key evening really, lacking the disco which took place there New Year's Eve 2010 and 2011. At least it was somewhere to go New Year's Eve, for the atmosphere of the liveliest moment which happened at midnight. Likely to be left out in the cold in the Best Party group.Back to the start of Best Party
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